ALEX Lesson Plans

Title: Teaching the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales
Description:
In this self-directed study involving research, composition, and presentation, students analyze Chaucer's characters of The Canterbury Tales as presented in the Prologue. Each student casts a modern personality in the role of one of the characters and writes an essay defending the choice.
Standard(s): [TC2] CA2 (9-12) 9: Practice ethical and legal use of technology systems and digital content.

Subject: English Language Arts (12), or Technology Education (9 - 12) Title: Teaching the Prologue to The Canterbury TalesDescription: In this self-directed study involving research, composition, and presentation, students analyze Chaucer's characters of The Canterbury Tales as presented in the Prologue. Each student casts a modern personality in the role of one of the characters and writes an essay defending the choice.

Title: Writing About Issues in the Media
Description:
In this lesson students analyze media coverage of current issues and present their findings in a formal research paper and class presentation.
Standard(s):

Subject: English Language Arts (12) Title: Writing About Issues in the MediaDescription: In this lesson students analyze media coverage of current issues and present their findings in a formal research paper and class presentation.

Title: Interpreting Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Description:
After a study of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, students working in small groups conduct research and create a slideshow presentation that emphasizes key aspects of the play and/or new ideas generated by the play.
Standard(s): [TC2] CA2 (9-12) 11: Critique digital content for validity, accuracy, bias, currency, and relevance.

Subject: English Language Arts (11 - 12), or Technology Education (9 - 12) Title: Interpreting Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's DreamDescription: After a study of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, students working in small groups conduct research and create a slideshow presentation that emphasizes key aspects of the play and/or new ideas generated by the play.

Thinkfinity Lesson Plans

Title: Understanding the Context of Modernist Poetry
Description:
In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explore the rise of cities; profound technological changes in transportation, architecture, and engineering; a rising population that engendered crowds and chaos in public spaces; factory life; and the aftermath of WWI. Students begin to understand how these influential factors contributed to making individuals feel less unique and more alienated, fragmented, and at a loss in their daily lives and larger worlds.
Standard(s): [SS2010] US11 (11) 5: Evaluate the impact of social changes and the influence of key figures in the United States from World War I through the 1920s, including Prohibition, the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, the Scopes Trial, limits on immigration, Ku Klux Klan activities, the Red Scare, the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Migration, the Jazz Age, Susan B. Anthony, Margaret Sanger, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, W. C. Handy, and Zelda Fitzgerald. (Alabama) [A.1.a., A.1.b., A.1.d., A.1.f., A.1.i., A.1.j., A.1.k.]

Subject: Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: Understanding the Context of Modernist PoetryDescription: In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from EDSITEment, students explore the rise of cities; profound technological changes in transportation, architecture, and engineering; a rising population that engendered crowds and chaos in public spaces; factory life; and the aftermath of WWI. Students begin to understand how these influential factors contributed to making individuals feel less unique and more alienated, fragmented, and at a loss in their daily lives and larger worlds.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: An Introduction to Beowulf : Language and Poetics
Description:
Students are introduced to Old English and the poetic devices of alliteration, kenning, and compounding in preparation for reading the epic poem Beowulf.
Standard(s):

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: An Introduction to Beowulf : Language and PoeticsDescription: Students are introduced to Old English and the poetic devices of alliteration, kenning, and compounding in preparation for reading the epic poem Beowulf.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 11,12

Title: Reading Literature in Translation: Beowulf as a Case Study
Description:
Using several translations of the same passage of Beowulf, this lesson introduces students to the idea that translation is not an objective practice, but that it involves '' imaginative reconstruction.''
Standard(s):

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Reading Literature in Translation: Beowulf as a Case StudyDescription: Using several translations of the same passage of Beowulf, this lesson introduces students to the idea that translation is not an objective practice, but that it involves '' imaginative reconstruction.''Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: In Literature, Interpretation is the Thing
Description:
Students consider Shakespearean literature to be or not to be useful in a modern context when they analyze the relationship between text and reader interpretation..
Standard(s):

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: In Literature, Interpretation is the ThingDescription: Students consider Shakespearean literature to be or not to be useful in a modern context when they analyze the relationship between text and reader interpretation..Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Novel News: Broadcast Coverage of Character, Conflict, Resolution, and Setting
Description:
This twist on readers theater has students prepare original news programs based on incidents in a recent reading, as they explore standard literary elements of character, conflict, resolution, and setting.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 34: Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. (See Grade 12 Language standards 35 and 37 for specific expectations.) [SL.11-12.6]

Title: Varying Views of America
Description:
Students work together to analyze three poems about America with varying points of view.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (11) 31: Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used. [SL.11-12.3]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Varying Views of AmericaDescription: Students work together to analyze three poems about America with varying points of view.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Style: Translating Stylistic Choices from Hawthorne to Hemingway and Back Again
Description:
After exploring the styles of two authors, students translate passages from one author into the style of another. They then translate fables into the style of one of the authors.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 29: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on Grade 12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. [SL.11-12.1]

Title: Preparing a Character for a New Job: Character Analysis through Job Placement
Description:
Working as career counselors for a literary character, students find a job for the character, prepare a resume, and design questions and answers to prepare them for a job interview.
Standard(s):

Title: Live from Antiquity
Description:
The goals of this EDSITEment lesson are to gain an appreciation for Greek drama through study of a play by Sophocles, to explore the cultural and historical context of Greek drama and its role in Greek society, and to reconstruct the experience of seeing a Greek drama performed and share that experience in an imaginative report.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 40: Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. [L.11-12.6]

Subject: Arts,Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: Live from AntiquityDescription: The goals of this EDSITEment lesson are to gain an appreciation for Greek drama through study of a play by Sophocles, to explore the cultural and historical context of Greek drama and its role in Greek society, and to reconstruct the experience of seeing a Greek drama performed and share that experience in an imaginative report.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Practical Criticism
Description:
The goals of this lesson, from EDSITEment, are to analyze the verbal devices through which poems make meaning, to compare one's personal interpretation of a poem with the personal interpretations of others, and to develop standards of literary judgment.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 40: Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. [L.11-12.6]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Practical CriticismDescription: The goals of this lesson, from EDSITEment, are to analyze the verbal devices through which poems make meaning, to compare one's personal interpretation of a poem with the personal interpretations of others, and to develop standards of literary judgment.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Exploring Arthurian Legend
Description:
In this lesson from EDSITEment, students examine the historical origins of the Arthurian legend. Students gain insight into the use of literature as historical evidence. Through the references and links in this lesson, students can track the growth of a legend like that of King Arthur, from its emergence in the Medieval Ages to its arrival on the silver screen.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 33: Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest. [SL.11-12.5]

Subject: Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: Exploring Arthurian LegendDescription: In this lesson from EDSITEment, students examine the historical origins of the Arthurian legend. Students gain insight into the use of literature as historical evidence. Through the references and links in this lesson, students can track the growth of a legend like that of King Arthur, from its emergence in the Medieval Ages to its arrival on the silver screen.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'': Fear and the ''Dagger of the Mind''
Description:
This EDSITEment lesson is designed to help students understand how Shakespeare's language dramatizes one such emotion: fear. Students work in small groups to perform the so-called banquet scene, in which the newly-crowned Macbeth, while entertaining the lords of Scotland, encounters a ghost only he can see. The twist here is that while there are opportunities for students to analyze Shakespeare's language, the performance itself is done without words. The wordless performance means that students need to develop physical equivalents for the clues to Macbeth's state of mind that are embedded in Shakespeare's poetry.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 3: Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed). [RL.11-12.3]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'': Fear and the ''Dagger of the Mind''Description: This EDSITEment lesson is designed to help students understand how Shakespeare's language dramatizes one such emotion: fear. Students work in small groups to perform the so-called banquet scene, in which the newly-crowned Macbeth, while entertaining the lords of Scotland, encounters a ghost only he can see. The twist here is that while there are opportunities for students to analyze Shakespeare's language, the performance itself is done without words. The wordless performance means that students need to develop physical equivalents for the clues to Macbeth's state of mind that are embedded in Shakespeare's poetry.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'': Fear and the Motives of Evil
Description:
In this EDSITEment lesson, students study Shakespeare's Macbeth. Students use an Internet search engine to collect instances in the play of specific key words. They then organize and analyze the passages in which these key words appear for what they reveal about Macbeth's state of mind and the motives behind his increasing evil.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 27: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. [W.11-12.9]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Shakespeare's ''Macbeth'': Fear and the Motives of EvilDescription: In this EDSITEment lesson, students study Shakespeare's Macbeth. Students use an Internet search engine to collect instances in the play of specific key words. They then organize and analyze the passages in which these key words appear for what they reveal about Macbeth's state of mind and the motives behind his increasing evil.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: 'Hamlet'' and the Elizabethan Revenge Ethic in Text and Film
Description:
This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains a set of five activities for students to explore the themes of honor, loyalty, and revenge in selected scenes from Hamlet. These activities involve literary analysis of the text, discussions of characterization and motive, and comparison with a cinematic adaptation of the play.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 29: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on Grade 12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. [SL.11-12.1]

Subject: Arts,Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: 'Hamlet'' and the Elizabethan Revenge Ethic in Text and FilmDescription: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains a set of five activities for students to explore the themes of honor, loyalty, and revenge in selected scenes from Hamlet. These activities involve literary analysis of the text, discussions of characterization and motive, and comparison with a cinematic adaptation of the play.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Shakespeare's ''Othello'' and the Power of Language
Description:
This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains seven activities for students to explore the linguistic ingenuity of Iago's rhetoric in Shakespeare's tragedy Othello. The activities involve a close study of key scenes, using worksheets to focus on the use of language to reveal character, motive, and theme. The final activity allows students to compose their own persuasive writing inspired by Iago's wordplay or a literary essay analyzing Iago's speeches.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 32: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks. [SL.11-12.4]

Subject: Arts,Language ArtsTitle: Shakespeare's ''Othello'' and the Power of LanguageDescription: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains seven activities for students to explore the linguistic ingenuity of Iago's rhetoric in Shakespeare's tragedy Othello. The activities involve a close study of key scenes, using worksheets to focus on the use of language to reveal character, motive, and theme. The final activity allows students to compose their own persuasive writing inspired by Iago's wordplay or a literary essay analyzing Iago's speeches.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Chaucer's Wife of Bath
Description:
This lesson from EDSITEment introduces students to one of the most admired characterizations in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath. Students read Chaucer's description of the Wife in the General Prologue to consider how he represents her, both as the poet of The Canterbury Tales and as a character in his own poem, then read the Wife of Bath's Prologue, where he has her speak for herself, to gain additional perspective on her character. Next, students investigate some of the literary sources that Chaucer drew upon as he created this portrait of a woman with her own ideas about matrimony, and examine evidence about marriage in the Middle Ages and the role that women played in medieval society. Finally, students read the Wife of Bath's Tale and explore the alternative readings of the tale in relation to the character of the Wife of Bath.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 19: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. [W.11-12.1]

Subject: Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: Chaucer's Wife of BathDescription: This lesson from EDSITEment introduces students to one of the most admired characterizations in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath. Students read Chaucer's description of the Wife in the General Prologue to consider how he represents her, both as the poet of The Canterbury Tales and as a character in his own poem, then read the Wife of Bath's Prologue, where he has her speak for herself, to gain additional perspective on her character. Next, students investigate some of the literary sources that Chaucer drew upon as he created this portrait of a woman with her own ideas about matrimony, and examine evidence about marriage in the Middle Ages and the role that women played in medieval society. Finally, students read the Wife of Bath's Tale and explore the alternative readings of the tale in relation to the character of the Wife of Bath.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Poetry of The Great War: ''From Darkness to Light''?
Description:
In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the historical context of World War I poetry. Students compare and contrast poems via active class discussion and then provide a well-supported, written analysis of the relationship between a poem's form and its content.
Standard(s):

Subject: Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: Poetry of The Great War: ''From Darkness to Light''?Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students explore the historical context of World War I poetry. Students compare and contrast poems via active class discussion and then provide a well-supported, written analysis of the relationship between a poem's form and its content.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: BirchesDescription: This student interactive, from an EDSITEment lesson, guides students as they examine Robert Frost s use of simile in '' Birches.''Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Thinkfinity Learning Activities

Title: Diarist Samuel Pepys was born.
Description:
Students write diary entries and revisit the entries as if it were a hundred years from now. Students then brainstorm and write paragraphs about life in the 21st century.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 21: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. [W.11-12.3]

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Diarist Samuel Pepys was born.Description: Students write diary entries and revisit the entries as if it were a hundred years from now. Students then brainstorm and write paragraphs about life in the 21st century.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12